Aspen Place Ministries

Live the Life

Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

I will be honest, there are days when being gentle and patient do not come easy. Especially, when I am exhausted physically, drained emotionally or hungry! I have found over the years that when I step up my diligence in my quiet time with the Lord, I am armed with a strength and patience that can only come from Him. I just need to order my days better, starting my quiet time first thing in the morning, yet allowing the margins for the unexpected. I need to not let others rule my day, or let the evil one whisper distracting discouragement in my ear, but make certain that God guides every minute. This diligence will allow me to shield distractions and be able to bear with one another in love, keep unity through peace, and live the life God has designed for me no matter where I am or who I am with.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving me this time to focus in on you. I pray that those reading will feel a tug towards you in a new way. May all burdens and discouragement be lifted from those who seek you, Lord. May each of us overflow in abundance your love and peace. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

For further reading: Ephesians 4:1-32

Are You Ready?

“Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:29–30

The lodge was spacious, with beautifully crafted woodwork throughout, comfy sofas clustered around several oversized fireplaces and huge bay windows overlooked the splendor of nature all around us. My daughter and I were curled up on a sofa, enjoying some one on one time, when a piercing scream rent the air.

“The stars are falling! The stars are falling from the sky!” Someone yelled.

Chaos ensued as everyone ran to the windows to see for themselves. People wailed and cried as they watched in terror as white streaks covered the evening sky, falling like rain on the ground below.

My daughter and I ran, hand in hand to the nearest window too, and as we stood in shock at the amazing site, I understood in an instant what was happening.

“The Lord Jesus is coming back,” I told my daughter, “Quick, let’s pray and prepare.” But as I pulled her to me, I was struck with the realization that there was nothing we needed to do. We were ready. We had accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and had been living for Him for many years. We threw our arms around each other and began to jump up and down. “Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming!” We cried with abandon.

When I awoke from my dream, the feelings of joy and excitement were still with me. I knew the order of the end times would not be quite like that, but the meaning of the dream was clear.

Those that believe in Jesus Christ and seek to live in obedience to Him are saved. We are ready for Christ’s return, and need not fear what the future may bring.

Don’t go back to sleep! Jesus is coming soon. If you aren’t ready, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior now (Romans 10:9-10)! Turn from your sins and walk with Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, what sweet joys await those that trust in you. Inspire us to live with the urgency that you are coming soon, that you may find us ready and anxiously waiting for your return.

For further reading: Matthew 24

Give God the Glory

Photo by Matt Jastram

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17-18a

The house was crowded with people celebrating the upcoming wedding of my dear friend’s son. Excitement and joy filled the air as the noise of happy chatter bounced about the room.

I was visiting with a couple that had attended one of my summer, young adult Bible studies, when the topic of “Giving thanks to God” came up.

Trevor was sharing that after graduating from college and holding down a somewhat boring job, he had just applied for the job of his dreams and got it.

I was thrilled for him, and said, “Praise the Lord! You must be so thankful to God for this amazing opportunity!”

Calmly and with all seriousness, he said, “No, why should I be? I was the one that worked my tail off at college, I was the one that toiled through monotonous tasks at my last job and I was the one that applied for this new job. God had nothing to do with it.”

I tried to contain my shock as I shut my gaping mouth. The ignorance of that statement, from someone that believed in God (but not Jesus) left me speechless (for a moment).

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights. James 1:17a

I replied, “That is not true. God has everything to do with your blessings. He was the one that gave you a brain that understands how the mechanic of things work, He was the one that gave you the ability and energy to go to school and hold down a job, and He was the one that opened doors for you to even apply for this new job. Whether you believe that or not, it doesn’t matter, it’s still truth. Give God the glory and the thanks He deserves.”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for the hundreds of good gifts you have given us. Help us to be a thankful and grateful people and to give you the glory and praise that you deserve. We love you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

True Paradise

“Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever.” Revelation 21:3-4

The sun was warm, the sky a soft cornflower blue and the ocean sparkled with a thousand diamonds. I dug my toes into the sand and embraced the beauty and peace around me. Oh, I thought, “If only I could stay here forever, that would be paradise.”

But as I sat there gazing at the swaying, dancing ocean, I wanted to be there. I wanted to experience firsthand, the feel of the water on my skin, and the buoyancy of the sea as I floated upon it. So I rose from my sandy paradise to walk into the breaking surf.

After acclimating to the water temperature and pushing through the rolling waves, I found myself swimming in the sparkling diamonds I had observed from the beach. It was glorious! I thought, “If only I could stay here forever, that would be paradise!”

But as I lay relaxing in the gently rocking ocean, my mind began to wander, with the rumbles of my tummy: teriyaki chicken, grilled shrimp, and sautéed mushrooms came to mind. My peaceful floating paradise wasn’t enough, I wanted more. I saw the Hula Grill in my mind, nestled close to the beach with their big grass umbrellas and live music and suddenly I was no longer content. I began to swim back to shore.

As I swam, I pondered my fickled musings. Why was I not content? Was there a true paradise somewhere for me? As the answer to my question glided gently into my mind, I smiled with anticipation.

Of course we will never be fully in paradise until we see Jesus face-to-face. All these beautiful moments on earth are just a glimpse, a feeling, a taste of what heaven will be like.

And when we arrive and stand before the Lord, we will say, “Now this is truly paradise, if only I could stay here forever”, and Jesus will say, “You will! Welcome to paradise.”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, how we long for paradise with you. Thank you for the moments on earth that show us a peek of what heaven will be like. Help us continue to pursue a deeper relationship with you that will make paradise all the sweeter. We love you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For further reading: Revelation 21

It’s a Win-Win With Jesus

We are confident, I say and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8

Bill could hear his phone ringing in the other room and he berated himself for leaving it there. He pushed himself off the sofa, disentangled his oxygen line and ambled into the kitchen to grab his cell phone.

It was the University of Washington medical center, Bill had been matched with a donor for new lungs.

My husband and I were arriving at the Portland International airport after a short vacation. As we touched down and began to taxi to the gate, I turned my cell phone back on and was immediately hit with multiple messages and texts. I turned to my husband with tears in my eyes and said, “Bill is on the way to the hospital to get his new lungs!”

We were both overjoyed to hear this news. Our brother-in-law had been struggling with pulmonary fibrosis for four years and we knew time was running out. Life had become increasingly difficult and exhausting for him, but through it all he never complained. He was always so positive and happy. Fully trusting the Lord with every moment of his life.

As soon as we picked up our luggage and got in the car, we called him. He and my sister were driving up to Seattle as fast as they safely could. With a lung transplant, there are no guarantees, we knew we could possibly lose Bill on the operating table. We told him how much we loved him and what a blessing he had been in our lives and in our children’s lives.

He humbly thanked us and said, “I’m looking at this as a win-win situation. If I die during surgery, I will be with Jesus, or if I successfully get new lungs, I will have a few more years on earth to love on my family. It’s a win-win.

Needless to say our tears were freely flowing.

Bill’s surgery was unsuccessful. The surgeon declared the donor lungs not viable at the last minute and canceled the procedure. We continue to pray for new lungs but in the meantime we seek to follow Bill’s example and wait and trust in God for every situation in our lives. Knowing that He works out all things for our good, even death.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence and peace in all situations. Help us be people of confident faith and steadfast hope in you, that we can encourage others, that life is always a win-win with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For further reading: 2 Corinthians 5

God Loves You

“As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him” (2 Samuel 22:31).

My poor little boy was outside playing when he fell and scraped his knee. The blood was flowing down his leg and there was dirt and little tiny pieces of gravel embedded into his open sore. I scooped him up and brought him inside to clean up his knee. But he kept saying, ”No Mama, it hurts!” As I comforted him, I said, ”We have to get it cleaned out or it will get worse.” Once it was cleaned and Neosporin and bandages were placed over it, I prayed for healing and for the pain to go away. While hugging and kissing my son, I told him that it will be OK. His wound will heal.

Sometimes wounds are open and you can see what has happened. Other times wounds are hidden beneath the surface and you don’t know what’s going on. How many people are walking around with the worst wound of all? A broken heart? A wounded spirit? An unsaved soul. They need to take refuge in the One who shields.

If you saw someone bleeding, you’d rush up to them, assess the situation to help and comfort them. You’d find bandages, a way to wash the wound, apply medicine, and dress it. What if we start assuming that people around us are wounded and that they need to be assessed. Ask them if they know Jesus. Tell them how much God loves them, gave his only Son to die for them, and if they believe in their heart they shall be saved (John 3:16). Their soul will be healed. Just think, healing for so many can begin with a loving conversation!!!

Prayer: Loving Father, you know all of our wounds. You see every hurt, every pain. We bring them before you taking refuge and ask for healing and for opportunities to help others. We love you and thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For further reading: John 3

The Storms of Our Life

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV) Isaiah 41:10

A winter weather warning of a big snow storm was forecast for our area. 8 to 12 inches of snow was expected over the next several days. We hurried to the grocery store to lay in supplies, and gathered our puzzles and games to prepare to hunker down at home for the duration of the storm.

The temperature dropped, the clouds rolled in, but instead of snow we got rain, heavy brutal freezing rain. This was not what we were expecting!

The trees and bushes began to sag and bend with the weight of the ice. We could hear limbs breaking off and crashing to the ground throughout our neighborhood. We bundled up and armed with plastic, rope and poles, headed outside to help our trees. We covered our arborvitae and tied them together to protect them. Then used ladders and painters poles to help support some of the heavy branches on the trees. The storm was not over yet, but with the added supports I think our landscape will be able to withstand the icy conditions.

But what about us?

How do we withstand the storms of life?

At times I feel the weight of my burdens pulling me down. So heavy are they, I think surely I will break. And then something happens; I seek the Lord’s help, my husband prays for me or I am reminded of the Lords great love and sacrifice for me, and I am strengthened to withstand the storm.

Do you think the Lord would leave us in our struggles? Abandon us in our pain? Never! The Lord tells us “I will never leave you or for sake you” (Joshua 1:15). The Lord is with us in the storms, it is He that covers us, He that binds us and He that holds us together. It is the Lord that supports us when our burdens weigh us down.

So when the storms of life come and they will, look to the Lord. He is with us and He will sustain us in our toughest moments.

Prayer: Our Father, how we love you. Thank you for your supportive hand in the storms of our life. Encourage us to trust you and to lean fully on you when we are at our weakest. For truly Lord, in reality we are always weak. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For further reading: Joshua 1

Hidden Sin

There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. Luke 12:2-3

My family and I were enjoying dinner together at an Applebee’s restaurant when the Lord brought home the meaning of Luke 12:2.

After consuming our delicious entrées we decided we would all split a mud pie for dessert. When the waiter returned with our ice cream and chocolate delicacy, he gently laid it on the table, gave us all spoons and with a big smile told us to “Enjoy”. We mumbled our thanks, as we locked eyes with each other, for smeared across one corner of his mouth was our chocolate delicacy.

He then moved to the booth next to ours, to see how they were doing and one of the guests pointed out to him that he had chocolate on his face. He reached up to wipe the offending substance away, while taking a quick glance at our table to check our reactions. Not wanting to embarrass him, we kept our eyes down, but after he left, we had quite the chuckle.

We like to think other people won’t discover our secrets and with technology today it’s easier than ever to hide our misdeeds. Smart phones, computers, and TVs enable us to live double lives. Who really knows what is going on behind closed doors?

The Lord knows.

There is nothing that is concealed from Him. And someday God will bring to light all our hidden deeds.

“You may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

Don’t wait to be found with mud on your face. Confess and repent of your transgressions today. Live a life that is open and honest before God and man.

Prayer: O Lord Almighty, you know us so well. You know our inner struggles and darkness, and still, you love us and offer us redemption and forgiveness. Sear our conscience, reveal our guilt and help us walk with integrity before you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

For further reading: Luke 12

I Hold on and Don’t Let Go

“Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.” John 6:37-38 (MSG)

“This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.” John 6:40 (MSG)

I remember when my twin sons were around two years old and one of their favorite pastime activities was to grab ahold of either my leg or my husband’s. We would walk into the room and both would come padding swiftly across the floor in their cute little footed fuzzy onesie pajamas and hang on to our leg as we attempted to walk across the floor. They would hold on with a grasp that could not be unclasped. They would not let go unless we reached down to pick them up. Sometimes, we would have a boy on each leg, or one on a leg and the other in our arms. When we would set them down on their feet, they’d say, “Again, again!” Such special memories!

Today, my sons are both over six foot tall and no longer wear those adorable footed onesie pajamas! Nor, do they grab hold of our legs to catch a ride anymore. Sadly, I can no longer hold them up in my arms, but I do delight in their hugs and who they have become!

The delight we have in our own children is just a fraction of the delight Jesus has for us who have trusted Him. When we run to Him, He tightly grasps each of us, lifts us up and will not let a single one of us go! He will embrace you fully only to set you down beside Him at His throne in our heavenly home when the time has come.

Prayer: My God, how I thank You for not only sending Your Son down from heaven to accept those of us who believe in Him and choose to run to Him; but that He eagerly holds us in His loving arms and will bring us home some day to be with You! Oh what a day that will be! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

For Further Reading: John 6